Non-computer interface to a database and digital library

Abstract

A non-computer interface to a storage system includes a set top box (STB) or interface unit connected to a storage system for storing information to be accessed by a user. The storage system can be a database, such as a relational database having a plurality of tables, or a digital library system, for storing information to be accessed by the user. Also stored in the storage system are navigation information or rules for controlling a user's navigation of the database. A user interacts with the storage system through the STB, sending navigation commands to the storage system via the STB. The navigation commands available to a user are generated by combining the navigation rules with the user's access privileges. The user can send navigation commands via a remote controller which sends cursor control commands to the STB. Alternatively, the user can send navigation commands via a virtual reality interface.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of controlling a storage unit, comprising: 
       accessing a first portion of the storage unit;  
       presenting first navigation information from the first portion of the storage unit;  
       sending a navigation command to the storage unit relating to the presented first navigation information to access a second portion of the storage unit;  
       receiving second navigation information from the storage unit, wherein the first and second navigation information are based on the first and second accessed portions of the storage unit, respectively, and an access privilege; and  
       prior to presenting the first navigation information, transmitting information regarding a user requesting access to the storage unit,  
       wherein the received first navigation information includes only navigation information resulting from comparing the transmitted user information with an object embedded in the storage unit, the embedded object containing the first navigation information.  
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the embedded object includes another embedded object. 
     
     
       3. A computer program product for browsing information in a storage unit, the computer program product including a computer-readable medium, comprising: 
       first computer-readable code for presenting first navigation information from an accessed first portion of the storage unit;  
       second computer-readable code for sending a navigation command to the storage unit based on the displayed first navigation information to access a second portion of the storage unit;  
       third computer-readable code for receiving second navigation information from the storage unit, wherein the first and second navigation information are based on the first and second accessed portions of the storage unit, respectively, and an access privilege; and  
       fourth computer-readable code for transmitting information regarding a user requesting access to the storage unit prior to the first computer-readable code causing presentation of the first navigation information,  
       wherein the received first navigation information includes only navigation information resulting from comparing the transmitted user information with an object embedded in the storage unit, the embedded object containing the first navigation information.  
     
     
       4. The program product according to  claim 3 , wherein the storage unit is a database. 
     
     
       5. The program product according to  claim 3 , wherein the storage unit is a digital library.